TheViolinist

For Sydney Scott, music has always been a passion and an outlet. When she started her college career as a talented violinist from Denver, CO, West Virginia University gave her the necessary tools to express and develop her passion for musical expression through the music performance and community music program in the College of Creative Arts.

AboutSydney

What is your
career goal? I hope to become a successful music therapist and help others meet
their full potential.

When you have 30
minutes of free time, how do you pass the time? I enjoy reading
or going for a walk.

What's your
quote to live by?

The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a
captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.

Where is your
favorite view in West Virginia? Looking over the Cheat River by Kingwood.

Favorite
Morgantown restaurant? Black Bear Burritos

Favorite movie? "The Sound
of Music"

Favorite song of
all time? “Symphony for the Sons of Nam” by James Kimo Williams.

Fictional
character most like you? Laura Ingalls

If you could
only visit one more place on campus, where would you go? The Arboretum because it brings back wonderful memories; it's always changing and I
notice something new every time I go there.

If you could travel anywhere in
the world, where would you go? Probably Iten, Kenya, because there is a
very successful endurance running training camp there, and I would
love to learn more about their traditional music and culture.

If you were to
title your own autobiography, what would it be? “Over Mountains
and Valleys.”

What couldn’t
you live without? My violin.

Most valuable
skill you have? I'm persistent and caring.

Person you’ve
met during your time here who has had the biggest impact on you? I can't choose
one person but the Cross Country and Track team and alumni have become my West Virginia
family, and I don't know what I would do without them.

If you could
have dinner with any three people current/past, who would they be? Fritz
Kristler, Albert Einstein and Caballo Blanco.

What about any
hidden talents?​ I have a fair bit of woodworking experience, specifically
building birdhouses and a mandolin.

Sydney& WVU

Why did you
choose to come to WVU? I felt at home on my campus visit.

Why is WVU
special to you? I feel there is a strong sense of community in Morgantown.
I feel that people are more friendly and caring here than anywhere
else I have lived.

What surprised
you most about WVU when you got to campus for the first time? The large amount
of stairs above the Life Sciences building. I like it.

When I'm on
campus, you can most likely find me: in the CAC or on the rail trail.

What's the
favorite class you've taken at WVU? Probably Bluegrass ensemble because it
introduced me to a new genre, it taught me to view music in a different light
and I had a lot of fun along the way.

What's your most
memorable moment at WVU? Playing at my junior recital. It was a great
opportunity, and it reminded me how much I have learned in
the past three years.

What advice
would you give to a student thinking of coming to WVU? Make long-term
goals, do your research, get to know the faculty in your
department and ask yourself if WVU will help you get there.

What's your
proudest accomplishment while at WVU? Qualifying for the Junior World Cross
Country Championships.

Best thing about
college life? The freedom to explore and find yourself without an overwhelming
amount of the obligations that come with adulthood.

How has WVU changed you? WVU has helped me to improve at many important life skills, opened my eyes to new perspectives and helped me build a family of peers I will likely continue to work with in some form or another the rest of my life.

Has WVU had an
impact on your passion? Since coming to WVU with the support of my
professors and coaches, specifically Dr. McTeer and Coach Cleary, my passion
for both music and running has grown and flourished.

If you could do
one thing differently in your time at WVU, what would it be? Scheduling has
been a real challenge, and I think that if given some of the same opportunities
again I would have a better idea of how to prioritize my time.

What will you
miss most about WVU? The sense of community, specifically my teammates and friends from
the Music Department.